Chapter 1615 – Side Story, Langya F5 Group (Part 1)
“Young Master, we’ve reached the territory of Langya County! Look outside, the spring flowers are blooming!”
Though the chill of early spring lingered, Langya County enjoyed an early onset of spring unlike the outside world.
Ta Xue switched out of her heavier cotton clothing for a lovely light yellow dress, its hem long enough that as she moved and twirled, it blossomed out like a flower, leaving a graceful arc in the air.
Looking at her rosy cheeks, Jiang Pengji smiled and said, “Spring has arrived, and so has beauty.”
“Young Master, your words are as sweet as honey! What have you been eating?” Ta Xue’s face flushed with shyness.
Jiang Pengji blinked and replied, “As if you don’t know what I feast on! It’s you who has been brewing a confusing concoction for me. Just look at our Ta Xue—she’s prettier than the spring scenery outside.”
The two exchanged laughter inside the carriage as the sunlight streamed in, casting a golden hue around them.
They weren’t trying to keep their voices down, so their conversation naturally drifted to the nearby carriage.
Mr. Yuanjing was inside, engrossed in a chess game, occasionally distracted by Jiang Pengji’s words, chuckling and shaking his head.
“Flirtatious!” Tang Yao, standing by, frowned slightly and muttered, “At such a young age, this little rascal is full of sweet talk.”
The Young Master of the Liu family hadn’t even turned thirteen yet, yet he already had a treasure trove of flattery for maidservants. If this continued, in a couple of years, he might wreak havoc among good families, not to mention the trouble he could get into behind closed doors.
Mr. Yuanjing said helplessly, “Being eloquent is a skill. Liu’s Young Master can charm the ladies; he won’t have to worry about marriage in the future.”
At this moment, Wei Ci was present with a question for his teacher, and his expression turned strange upon hearing this remark.
Teacher… are you serious?
Some didn’t appreciate Jiang Pengji, while others did, like Lü Zheng, who squeezed into the same carriage with Wei Ci.
“This new classmate is interesting. She’s nothing like the others who act all gentlemanly. She’s quite lively.”
Lü Zheng remarked about Jiang Pengji, while Cheng Jing, who was idly playing chess with Lü Zheng, stayed silent, and Han Yu, who was spectating, said, “Shaoyin, do you mean to say you find our classmates too dull? I’ve interacted with Liu Lanting, and he’s not as likable as he seems.”
Cheng Jing said nothing, yet he completely revamped his earlier steady demeanor, crushing Lü Zheng in chess, expressing his discontent.
Seeing the game shift against him, Lü Zheng just lay back and allowed Cheng Jing to beat him, putting up a lackluster struggle.
Despite Han Yu and the others not being high on Jiang Pengji, Lü Zheng remained convinced that seeing and hearing things for oneself was more enlightening. Time would reveal true character.
After all, a thirteen-year-old boy was just at the age where he was rebellious and half-formed. Expecting Jiang Pengji to act like a mature scholar was a bit much. Nevertheless, these factors weren’t enough to earn Lü Zheng’s disfavor; it was Jiang Pengji’s egalitarian attitude that he appreciated most. Coming from a humble origin, Lü Zheng had few friends in the academy, only a handful he could truly connect with.
Upon learning that the Flower Festival marked Jiang Pengji’s birthday, Lü Zheng thoughtfully prepared a gift.
The present wasn’t extravagant but was heartfelt.
In return, Jiang Pengji invited him to enjoy some flower wine…
Well, drinking flower wine sounds nice… flower wine…
Wait, flower wine?
By the time Lü Zheng snapped back to reality, he found himself trapped in a brothel filled with the intoxicating scent of perfume.
“What are you doing here…”
Jiang Pengji replied nonchalantly, “Earlier at the Jishan Hot Springs, didn’t I promise to take you out for drinks? But then, the heir of the Northern Marquis died unexpectedly, and I forgot. A gentleman’s word is his bond; I can’t just break my promise.”
Changqing Lane, a renowned street near Jishan Hot Springs in the capital, was the epitome of the “gentleman’s abode,” a street bustling with beauties.
Lü Zheng’s face turned crimson as he nearly fell to his knees.
“The Jishan Hot Springs is one thing; this is Langya County!”
“What’s the difference?”
Lü Zheng felt like crying, “If our teacher finds out we’re here chasing after flowers, it’s over!”
His teacher never punished students with a ruler; he preferred them to copy texts in various positions and postures… Such a description might raise eyebrows. For instance, someone recently broke an academy rule and was barred from writing with weights atop their head, making them squat under heavy bamboo slips. Another time, they were made to write late at night, claiming it was to help their characters absorb the essence of the sun and moon…
Never would he guess what bizarre punishments his teacher could concoct.
Jiang Pengji shot him a sideways glance and said, “Who said we’re chasing flowers? I said drinks; do you want to sleep in the arms of a flower girl?”
Lü Zheng: “…”
Jiang Pengji continued, “Today, I’m finally thirteen. Do you really want to waste my precious innocence in a brothel?”
Lü Zheng sighed, “…Is it really just for drinks?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Of course! You don’t expect anything else, do you?”
Lü Zheng looked as if she’d just revealed his biggest secret, turning even redder.
“Who said I wanted anything else? A gentleman behaves properly; how could I think of such indecent things?”
Jiang Pengji pouted, “Come on, which gentleman doesn’t leave some leeway? Unless your neighbor is the Old Wang.”
“What do you mean?”
Jiang Pengji explained, “In ancient times, a vile spirit would lure married women, often taking refuge next door, waiting for the husband to leave. When the man was away, the spirit would meet the women and leave behind offspring. If we’re following your logic, the gentleman should give up all desires and not engage in relationships; how would future generations come to be? It’s probably Old Wang next door doing all the work…”
Lü Zheng stared at her, wide-eyed, and blushed, “At your age, what kind of books are you reading? You should read more of the sages’ sayings!”
“Nope, I just like pretty sisters.”
Lü Zheng wasn’t much of a drinker, but Jiang Pengji could handle a thousand cups, and eventually, it was she who carried the drunken Lü Zheng on her shoulder, leaving.
“What are you all doing in the middle of the night…?”
As she hoisted him over a wall, Jiang Pengji discovered three sneaky figures huddled in a secluded spot, their heads together, lighting candles to look at something. Jiang Pengji called out, “Hey, what are you three up to? Sneaking around—”
The three caught in the act looked panicked.
Jiang Pengji tossed Lü Zheng aside, who sprawled out, and quickly grabbed what the three were hiding.
At a glance—
Emmmm…
It was a super luxurious fire-avoidance chart made of bamboo paper…
A fully animated plot with actions and expressions…
Keep in mind, at this time, bamboo paper was incredibly precious; regular books were hard to come by, let alone waste it on a fire-avoidance chart.
“Are you new here?”
Before Jiang Pengji could respond, one tall student approached her, placing his arm casually around her shoulder.
“Yeah, just came a few days ago. What, planning to bribe me?”
“This isn’t a bribe! It’s called sharing blessings and hardships together; just showing you a little something, but you better not sell us out.”
“Tsk, looking at a fire-avoidance chart is nothing compared to seeing the real deal.”
“You’re still young; you don’t understand the thrill inside. The real deal might look good, but they’ve got a flaw or two; nothing compares to perfection on paper.”
Jiang Pengji nodded earnestly.
“That makes a bit of twisted sense.”
